For a few days after Christmas, the family booked to come to Moreton Island - the fourth largest sand island in the world at about 35km in length.
The most likely way to arrive is by the Tangalooma ferry, which, if you're lucky, is a 45 min trip on a big double-deck cat, or if you're not that lucky, a 60 min trip on the much smaller 'Express'. We were not that lucky. I almost kissed the ground as we docked, but the idea of sand between my teeth fortunately brought me to my senses in time.
The island seems to be a popular destination - for humans, birds, dolphins and even whales in the cooler months.
To the casual observer, the most common species on the island is the bare-footed beachwalker. It is certainly true that there are plenty of them here, but if you observe carefully, you would notice at least half of them are in fact red-nosed sundivers. Of these, a good number have already transformed onto red-necked and red-shouldered sundivers. It is best to avoid these and not try feeding or touching them, even though they appear quite tame. They are in fact a very irritable species, and best left in the shade until they loose their distinct red colouring.
The careful observer will also spot a good number of lesser-striped and even greater-striped tatoomies. 'Striped' as a descriptor for this species is in fact very liberally used, as the range of different patterns proudly worn by these is truly mind-boggling. These can range from tiny patterns on females, looking remarkably like flowers, to intricate woven and banded designs mostly seen on the front and hind legs. It is not entirely certain why they sport these designs, as no obvious function has been observed. Some speculate it may be a sign of rank and superiority amongst the males. Another popular theory is that it may play a role in courting. Urban legend even has it that members of this species are in fact the descendents of the now extinct convictus that once freely roamed in Australia. One of the mysteries that will remain...
Below a picture of what may at first glance appear to be bare-footed beachwalkers, but are in fact lesser-striped tatoomies. They are generally quite camera-shy, so sadly I couldn't get a close-up!
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| Location of Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island |
The most likely way to arrive is by the Tangalooma ferry, which, if you're lucky, is a 45 min trip on a big double-deck cat, or if you're not that lucky, a 60 min trip on the much smaller 'Express'. We were not that lucky. I almost kissed the ground as we docked, but the idea of sand between my teeth fortunately brought me to my senses in time.
The island seems to be a popular destination - for humans, birds, dolphins and even whales in the cooler months.
To the casual observer, the most common species on the island is the bare-footed beachwalker. It is certainly true that there are plenty of them here, but if you observe carefully, you would notice at least half of them are in fact red-nosed sundivers. Of these, a good number have already transformed onto red-necked and red-shouldered sundivers. It is best to avoid these and not try feeding or touching them, even though they appear quite tame. They are in fact a very irritable species, and best left in the shade until they loose their distinct red colouring.
The careful observer will also spot a good number of lesser-striped and even greater-striped tatoomies. 'Striped' as a descriptor for this species is in fact very liberally used, as the range of different patterns proudly worn by these is truly mind-boggling. These can range from tiny patterns on females, looking remarkably like flowers, to intricate woven and banded designs mostly seen on the front and hind legs. It is not entirely certain why they sport these designs, as no obvious function has been observed. Some speculate it may be a sign of rank and superiority amongst the males. Another popular theory is that it may play a role in courting. Urban legend even has it that members of this species are in fact the descendents of the now extinct convictus that once freely roamed in Australia. One of the mysteries that will remain...
Below a picture of what may at first glance appear to be bare-footed beachwalkers, but are in fact lesser-striped tatoomies. They are generally quite camera-shy, so sadly I couldn't get a close-up!
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| Striped... on the beach next to the wrecks |
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